As Maryland continues to report job losses within the state’s large poll of federal employees, state officials said this week they are stepping up their effort to connect those former federal workers to new careers as teachers.

Expediting the process for teacher training and licensing addresses two problems at once — a teacher shortage that’s putting pressures on schools throughout the state, and widespread layoffs under a new presidential administration — officials said when they announced the plan in February.

A new $1 million grant to create or improve programs across 11 colleges and universities aims to boost that work, Gov. Wes Moore said Tuesday.

The governor’s office said the funding from the Maryland Higher Education Commission will go toward programs like the “From Feds to Eds” version of Montgomery College’s Alternative Certification for Effective Teachers initiative.

That program — a partnership between the college and Montgomery County Public Schools — looks to fill the gaps “for excellent teachers in high demand fields” by transitioning professionals into teaching careers, according to the program’s website.

To qualify, candidates need a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0, an expertise in their field and a “basic skills assessment.” Accepted candidates are enrolled in a 10- to 12-week course followed by an internship and residency.

Montgomery College President Dr. Jermaine Williams said in a statement that the grant will help strengthen the program “to facilitate degree-holding professionals who want to begin a new career sharing their knowledge and educating students in the classroom.”

The announcement follows a new report showing the state added about 4,900 jobs in April, a total that was diminished by a loss of 2,600 jobs in the federal workforce in the same month, according to the Maryland Department of Labor.

About 270,000 Maryland residents are employed by the federal government — a sizable portion of the overall workforce. The state’s proximity to Washington, D.C. and reliance on those jobs has meant the state has more at risk compared to other states as President Donald Trump moves to slash the federal workforce.

As the layoff notices began to pile up in February, Moore said he would try to facilitate the hiring of those workers in both public and private sector jobs, including in schools.

“Maryland is mobilizing,” he said in a statement after announcing the new grant in Montgomery County. “We refuse to stand idly by while the new federal administration fires public servants without cause and are doing everything in our power to put Marylanders first.”

Other institutions receiving the latest grant money are the University of Maryland, Baltimore County; the University of Maryland, College Park; Towson University; Morgan State University; Goucher College; the Community College of Baltimore County; Bowie State University; McDaniel College; Notre Dame University of Maryland and Salisbury University.

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